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Post by newuser on Jul 30, 2021 6:37:49 GMT -5
Last week needed to cut a full size sheet of 12mm ply down to 2.4m x 7XX. As the sheet is so large, I can only fit part of it on my standard narrow MFT tops, so instead of being able to square the rail against the wood on the bench as usual I rammed a corner that seemed straight locally (only have a small square) into a fence on MFT and then cut.
Issues:
My damaged rails now only extend to about 2m so on second or third cut I actually extended them over the connector which probably isn't wise for accuracy.
Didn't have a steel rule long enough to reach from known good end, so was unable to make a line at the distance I knew was 100% straight, so had to make do with marks at the beginning and the end.
I tried to use the rail dogs protruding over the workpiece as a poor man's rail square trick, and it *seemed* to be square at the beginning, but regardless my cut was 2-3mm out at the other end, and I had used up my chances to make a good cut so was unable to use that length for project.
So I need to get another 1.6m rail (was considering bosch with 32mm holes for MFT making option) and perhaps a proper rail square? Is there anything else that would help to guarantee a straight cut, want to make MFT from 18mm full sheet next and can't afford to be making errors. Wondering if rail square is good enough over that length or hard to adjust guaranteed square over that top.
P.S lost the red screw for one of my mafell rail clamps so only have one working right now, anyone know if alternative or spares available?
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Post by alvychippy on Jul 30, 2021 9:39:26 GMT -5
I presume you are using MT55. Not a clue where from but joinery workshop had 3m Mafell rail, ever since, I tried to get one- nada! Leaves you with no other option, but to be economical and to make accurate 8 foot sheet breaking - get a cheapish Makita 2.7m or else rail, so no more joining would require, as getting new connector + 1.6m Mafell rail will end up more expensive option... Be it more versatile. Joining FesT type of rails never worked, whilst Mafell joining has never been a problem at all. The other option is to get way cheaper Bosch rail and connector, but it might end up triggering OCD for some, but price ways (and you own a Mafell-Bosch type square) would be second best, cheapish option.🤷♂️
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Post by newuser on Jul 30, 2021 9:46:56 GMT -5
Apologies, forgot to mention equipment. Yes its MT55 which came with the two 1.6m rail kit. After accident with 1.6 and kickback on the ground (learnt lesson now I hope!) one 1.6 got cut down to 8XXmm so now have 1.6, connector and 8XX which is why I was looking at the bosch 1.6 32 hole rail, also got the router adapter already.
If I got a rail square, might look at a third party option like benchdogs as the official one needs another connector, so would need to use two or more connectors for long rails.
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Post by aas on Jul 30, 2021 18:29:11 GMT -5
There isn't an official rail square from Mafell... best they manage is the F-WA which needs a connector as you say, not guaranteed square on the detents.
Not many after market rail squares for Mafell. I have one from FC - badly finished and no invoice!.. just Paypal friends and family - maybe he's upped his game, but hard to recommend. It is square though.
If you get a Festool rail, squares are easier to come by (I have the Festool branded TSO square - very good), but the rail adjusters will need adjusting each time you switch between Mafell or Festool rails - this gets boring very quickly.
I have some Bosch 32 rails with the router adapter, never used for 32mm work, exactly the same as Mafell rails with the exception of strip colour.
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